"Java Lanes, the bowling alley that has stood on Pacific Coast Highway for 46 years, will soon be torn down and replaced with townhomes if a plan for the development is approved this week.

Today (Thursday, February 5, 2004) the Planning Commission will take up a request by Brookfield Homes of Costa Mesa to build 79 condominiums on that site, plus an adjacent parking lot.

[Long Beach, CA] City staff recommends approval of the project. If it is approved it can move forward. However the City Council ultimately will need to vote on the planned zoning change for the site."

The plan was approved unanimously.

Java Lanes is one o' the few remainin' "Polynesian-style" buildings of Googie architecture left from their heyday o' the late 50's an' early 60's. Anyone who's been their will tell ya what a bitchin' place it is, with its steep angled roof an' "B-O-W-L" sign out front.

I guess this is jus' another example of cities tearin' down ever'thing that makes this Southern California.

Not to go off your topic Pup,
But has anyone been to Santa Monica bowling lanes?
I took my nephew there on X-mas vacation and it was one of the coolest retro\swank preserved alleys I have ever seen. I highly recommend a visit before they decide to shut that one down.

On 2004-02-12 13:48, thejab wrote:This distressing news just came in on Otto's tikinews list:

Quote:

"Java Lanes, the bowling alley that has stood on Pacific Coast Highway for 46 years, will soon be torn down and replaced with townhomes if a plan for the development is approved this week.

Today (Thursday, February 5, 2004) the Planning Commission will take up a request by Brookfield Homes of Costa Mesa to build 79 condominiums on that site, plus an adjacent parking lot.

[

Looks like I better make another bowling trip to Southern California. Does anyone know how long it will stay open?

Like THE jAB said--does anyone know how long it will stay open??
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I knew my show journal would come in handy eventually...
There was a tiki(ish) bar attached on to the bowling alley called "the Lava Lounge" with very cool lava rock formations, fake volcanoes and giant fake flames. There were no carvings or Nautical decorations that I can remember as the decor was more geared toward being inside a volcano. There were lots of booths and some tables and a long narrow bar that lead to the bowling lanes. The bar had an entrance that was through the big A frame you can see in the match book. That's what I remember, anyway. I'll see if I can get some pics soon.
I visted this place in 1999 (to see the Tiki Tones, actually) and when I went back several years later - every cool decoration was taken out (including tables and booths) and it was turned into a hip-hopin' dance club. Needless to say I was bummed, but the business it was doing was MUCH better (only a handful of people came out to see the Tiki Tones).
I'm surprised to hear that this place is closing, as it was always hard to get lanes on the weekends. Occasionally I'd read in the paper that they would have "Rock and Bowl" where a live band would play while you bowled!
What do you say? So-Cal TC pilgramage to Java Lanes for some rootin' tootin' 10 pin?
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Here's the article from the Long Beach Press Telegram, February 5, 2004:

-----------------------------

Homes for Java site OK'd
Council must approve zoning change to replace lanes with town houses.

By Jason Gewirtz
Staff writer

LONG BEACH -- The Planning Commission cleared the way Thursday for Java Lanes, the city's oldest remaining bowling alley, to be redeveloped into 79 town homes.

Costa Mesa-based Brookfield Homes is proposing the development, which won unanimous commission approval and support from several of Java Lanes' neighbors.

As part of the deal, the developer will be required to take "presentation-quality' photos of the Java Lanes building for a local or regional architectural conservation group before demolishing the building. The "B-O-W-L' sign outside the building will also be preserved and relocated to a city storage site until a future display site is determined.

The one- to four-bedroom units will range from 1,191 square feet to 1,929 square feet each. Each unit is expected to cost between $300,000 and $500,000.

The project, which requires a zoning change, still requires City Council approval.

In recent years, the owners of Java Lanes have received several offers for the property. The Long Beach Unified School District considered purchasing the site for an elementary school in 2002, but backed out after discovering an earthquake fault directly under the site.

As part of the plans approved Thursday, the developer will have to conduct a geologic investigation and submit a report by a state-registered geologist before construction.

Neighbors of the property have complained in recent years about noise and trash coming from the bowling alley's clientele. Several neighbors said Thursday they were pleased with the development plans.

"I'm sorry to say we're not sorry to say that Java Lanes goes,' said Guy Taylor, who lives adjacent to the site.

Other neighbors echoed his sentiments.

"We couldn't be more pleased with what the final use of this property is going to be,' said nearby resident Don McMullen. The developer also won praise for its involvement with the bowling alley's neighbors.

"You don't know what a pleasure it is to have a neighborhood understand a project, let alone come in here and support it,' Commission Chair Charles Greenberg said.

-----------------------------------

Well, at least there will be some archival photography done of the place before it goes.... and who knows what'll happen to the cool B-O-W-L sign? Sounds like a project for a local preservation group to find a home for it...!

I tried to book APE here on their first southern cal tour in early 2002, only to be told there was no hope and the place was to be bulldozed... hmmm... Maybe I should not have listened... the place is still up and now no entertainment license for the perfect venue ever for ape to play........